82 MISCELLANEOUS FARM SUBJECTS 



tion, but the general principle is the same throughput. This primi- 

 tive method of underground storage has the merit of being inex- 

 pensive, and while being adapted to small farms it is not equal to 

 the demands of orcharding on an extensive scale. 



Such a cave is usually constructed on a hillside, so that the 

 entrance is protected from the winds that prevails during summer 

 and autumn. In moist soils the cave must be walled, in dry soils 

 no walls are required. Upright posts along the sides support the 

 top, which is made of poles ; over the poles is a layer of coarse hay, 

 and over the hay, soil to the depth of 2 feet. Several flues are made 

 for ventilation. Such a cave may be built any desired dimensions ; 

 some are with doors in each end and large enough to allow a pas- 

 sageway for a wagon through them. The best system of ventilation 

 and the most even and desirable temperature can be maintained by 

 use of an underground ventilation pipe leading from an opening 

 in the floor of the cave to a similar opening on the surface of the 

 ground several rods away. The pipe should be large enough to 

 provide sufficient air for the cave and should have valves at each 

 opening to regulate the supply. The air in passing through the pipe 

 is cooled in summer and warmed in winter and thus brought to near 

 the proper temperature for good results in keeping fruit. To com- 

 plete the system several flues should lead through the top of the 

 cave to the open air above. The sum of the capacities of these flues 

 should at least be equal to the capacity of the ventilator leading into 

 the cave. (F. B. 119.) 



Storehouse. Another way, and one best adapted for the pur- 

 pose where orcharding is more extensively conducted, is by means 

 of a storehouse especially designed for such use. A storehouse in 

 which no system of artificial refrigeration is employed is generally 

 operated by admitting the outer air when its temperature is low 

 enough and excluding it at other times. The walls of such a store- 

 house should be thick enough to preserve, as near as possible, an even 

 temperature, and should be so constructed as to wholly exclude all 

 air except through the ventilating shafts. In this system ventilation 

 is the most important thing. The outlet of the ventilating shaft 

 should have a trap so as to admit the air and at the same time keep 

 out the storm. The main thing is to secure a good connection with 

 the pure air on the outside. It is well to pack the walls between the 

 outer and inner sheathing with fine shavings or sawdust. The cost 

 of such a building will depend upon the dimensions, but one with a 

 capacity for storing 300 barrels of apples was built on the New 

 Hampshire Experiment Station farm at a cost of $80. Such a store- 

 house while adapted to the cold weather would be inadequate during 

 the hot summer months. (F. B. 119.) 



Storing With Ice. Almost every locality has its supply of ice 

 which comes naturally in the winter, and this, if saved and utilized, 

 would be a source of comfort and profit all the year. It can be 

 readily done by co-operative methods. A small ice and cold storage 

 building can be cheaply constructed and, where a supply of good ice 

 can be depended upon, is to be highly recommended. Fruits, vege- 



